Report finds ride-hailing services impacting public transit ridership

After TNCs enter a market, heavy rail ridership can be expected to decrease by 1.3% and bus ridership by 1.7%.

January 24, 2019

Report finds ride-hailing services impacting public transit ridership — Ride-hailing effects are so substantial that, if the current trend continues, bus service in cities studied by UK researchers could be hit nearly 13% over the eight years.
Lyft

1 min to read

Ride-hailing effects are so substantial that, if the current trend continues, bus service in cities studied by UK researchers could be hit nearly 13% over the eight years. Lyft

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A team from the University of Kentucky (UK) has found the introduction of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have had a drastic impact on public transit ridership across the U.S., Business Insider reports.

The UK study found that for each year after Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) enter a market, heavy rail ridership can be expected to decrease by 1.3% and bus ridership can be expected to decrease by 1.7%.

Using a random-effects model, the team set out to look at ride-hail and transit trends in 22 of the nation’s largest cities. The study accounted for 10 different variables, including population, density, proportional car ownership, gas prices, and transit miles in each metro area.

Ride-hailing effects are so substantial that, if the current trend continues, bus service in cities studied by UK researchers could be hit nearly 13% over the eight years. For the full story, click here.

To view the full report, click here.

Topics:Lyft ride-hailing ridership study TNCs Uber Paratransit Bus Management Rail Technology New Mobility

More New Mobility

A rider looking at a Via map on a smartphone

Technology•by Staff•April 6, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Introducing New Microtransit Pilot

The service will offer free connections to major bus stops and park-and-rides, linking customers to NJ TRANSIT’s fixed-route bus network.

Breaking Accessibility Barriers with the Low Floor Frontrunner Minibus

Accessible transit isn’t a feature—it’s a responsibility. This whitepaper explores how the Low-Floor Frontrunner is redefining mobility with a breakthrough design that removes barriers, empowers riders, and delivers measurable operational advantages for agencies. Discover why this next generation minibus is setting a new standard for inclusive transportation.